Subhepatic sonography following cholecystectomy

Abstract

The subhepatic placement of prophylactic drains following cholecystectomy remains a common practice despite studies demonstrating the safety of omitting such drains. The accumulation and fate of subhepatic fluid constitute the chief concern. In a prospective comparative study, 76 patients were randomized into drained and non-drained groups. Postoperative ultrasonographic studies showed no localized fluid accumulations in the majority of instances. Small accumulations of fluid in the gallbladder bed were demonstrated on the initial postoperative sonograms in nine patients in the two groups. Long-term patient follow-up confirmed such fluid, which remained stable or decreased in size, to be clinically insignificant.